It was only 30 pitches in February before a collection of 20 players and staff on Field 2 behind Roger Dean Stadium. But it was also Adam Wainwright throwing effortlessly and with command — momentous stuff just two weeks before the anniversary of his elbow injury last year.

Wainwright, who tore ligaments in his elbow and missed the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, threw 30 pitches warming up and another 30 to Cardinals infielder Tyler Greene, minor leaguers Robert Stock and Joseph Bergman, and former teammate Rick Ankiel. He mixed sinkers, cut fastballs and his signature curve … all for strikes and never above the knees.

The performance was compelling enough for an impressed Ankiel to quip at one point, "Make a mistake one time."